You feel it was written about you: client acceptability of a group intervention for repeat suicide attempts

Abstract

Background

Repeat attempts increase risk of death by suicide. The Psychosocial/psychoeducational Intervention for People with recurrent Suicide Attempts (PISA)/Skills for Safer Living (SfSL) is a group intervention targeting repeat attempts.

Aims

To evaluate the acceptability of PISA/SfSL to clients and identify key model components influencing this.

Methods

This exploratory mixed-methods study involved adults who completed PISA/SfSL (N = 16). Participants completed semi-structured interviews and a satisfaction questionnaire post-intervention, and self-report outcome measures of population specific challenges pre and post-intervention and at 6-month follow-up.

Results

Qualitative themes illuminate three interrelated response processes; connection with each other and the model, taking control of life, and gaining a sense of value. Quantitative outcome measures indicated positive trends in suicidality, hopelessness, alexithymia, and problem-solving. High satisfaction levels indicated its quality, relevancy, applicability and helpfulness. Key components influencing responses were PISA/SfSL’s; psychosocial group format and processes, psychoeducational and skill development content, and ethos. Results suggest PISA/SfSL was acceptable to those with repeat suicide attempts.

Conclusions

The study highlights the usefulness of group work and the importance of consistency with guidelines in suicide intervention. It supports the view that recovery in suicidality and engagement in treatment are complex processes. It adds to previous research demonstrating acceptability among facilitators.

Keywords:

• Group
• repeat suicide attempt
• intervention
• acceptability
• PISA
• SfSL

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Two or more self-reported attempts in their lifetime.

2 A lack of emotional awareness with difficulties distinguishing feelings from associated arousal sensations (Nemiah et al., 1976).

3 Defined by PISA/SfSL developer as those who remained involved until the intervention terminated.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the Health Research Board (HRB) [HRA/2009/213].